Invading reptiles are wreaking havoc on indigenous wildlife on the Ashby Canal, prompting a call for volunteers with ‘turtle power’ to round up the voracious critters.

The marauding terrapins are thought to have originally been bought as pets following the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze of the 1980s and 90s then dumped when they grew too big to be cute.

In contrast to the heroic figures of the cartoon series however, the terrapins are causing mayhem and threatening native species on the canal which weaves through the borough.

It has led to the Canal and River Trust, a charity which cares for 2,000 miles of historic waterways in England and Wales, putting out a plea for people to help them catch the terrapins.

Canal and River Trust senior ecologist Richard Bennett with a captive terrapin to illustrate the kind of creature terrorising the Ashby Canal. Volunteers are being sought to help catch the wild reptiles.

Richard Bennett, senior ecologists for the Trust, said: “This is certainly an unusual opportunity but these terrapins can cause real damage munching their way through the canal so it’s important we step in and take action.

“We’re looking for people with some experience - and quick reflexes - to help us catch the terrapins and move them to somewhere that keeps them and the wildlife within the canal safe.

“The volunteers will help us to say ‘sayonara’ to these turtles once and for all on the Ashby Canal and protect the native wildlife that makes the canal such a special place for people to visit.”

The Ashby Canal runs for 22 miles through rural areas of the borough and is an important wildlife habitat, with some sections designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The terrapins are voracious eaters and munch their way through such native species as dragonfly, damselfly larvae, small fish, frogspawn and even ducklings, threatening the ecology of the canal.

Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles

Often purchased when only the size of a matchbox the reptiles can grow to be the size of a dinner plate.

The feisty creatures don’t like being handled and can bite so ideally the Trust is looking for people with experience of working with them.

Protective equipment, nets and tanks will be provided but volunteers will need their own transport to move the terrapins once caught.

The Trust will be passing the animals on to experts from the British Chelonia Group to be safely rehomed.

Anyone wanting to get involved should visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteering